U.S. patent number 8,564,613 [Application Number 12/794,230] was granted by the patent office on 2013-10-22 for display modification based on measurement type.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nonin Medical, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Christopher Holland, Christopher Larsen, Matthew Prior. Invention is credited to Christopher Holland, Christopher Larsen, Matthew Prior.
United States Patent |
8,564,613 |
Prior , et al. |
October 22, 2013 |
Display modification based on measurement type
Abstract
Systems and methods provide a measurement system that modifies
the display format based on the type of measurements or and/or the
value measured, and these modifications are automatically made
based on the information stored within sensors, sensor pods and/or
alarm limits.
Inventors: |
Prior; Matthew (Plymouth,
MN), Larsen; Christopher (Rockford, MN), Holland;
Christopher (Mayer, MN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Prior; Matthew
Larsen; Christopher
Holland; Christopher |
Plymouth
Rockford
Mayer |
MN
MN
MN |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nonin Medical, Inc. (Plymouth,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
43300437 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/794,230 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20100309207 A1 |
Dec 9, 2010 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
61184538 |
Jun 5, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/619; 345/689;
345/581; 345/440.1; 345/440 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T
11/206 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09G
5/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tung; Kee M
Assistant Examiner: Amin; Jwalant
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner,
P.A.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/184,538, filed
Jun. 5, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method executable by one or more processors, the method
comprising: at each of a plurality of pods, receiving data
indicating a measurement type code from a sensor coupled to a
particular pod, accessing calibration parameter information,
receiving sensor output data for the sensor, and executing an
algorithm at the particular pod to determine a processed
measurement based on the type code, the calibration parameter
information, and the sensor output data; at a display coupled to
the plurality of pods, determining a display format for the display
based on the processed measurement for the plurality of sensors;
checking for entry of a user input corresponding to the display
format; and displaying values based on at least one processed
measurement in accordance with the display format or, upon
detecting the user input, displaying values based on at least one
processed measurement in accordance with an alternative format.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display format includes a
trend line.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the display format includes a
plethismograph.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the display format includes a
value.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of
sensors have the same measurement type and wherein determining the
display format includes concurrently displaying data for the at
least two of the plurality of sensors having the same data
type.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein concurrently displaying data
includes displaying the data from the at least two of the plurality
of sensors adjacent to one another.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein concurrently displaying data
includes displaying the data from the at least two of the plurality
of sensors on the same graph.
8. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: in response to
determining that a value from a sensor has crossed a threshold,
modifying the display format for the data stream from the
sensor.
9. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: in response to
determining that an alarm has been generated, modifying the display
format for the data stream from the sensor.
10. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: in response to
determining that a value from a sensor has crossed a threshold,
modifying the display format for all data streams from the sensors
to change a relative prominence of the different data streams.
11. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: in response to
determining that an alarm has been generated, modifying the display
format for all data streams from the sensors to change a relative
prominence of the different data streams.
12. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: only displaying
a subset of the sensor data streams and choosing the sensor data
streams to display based on the distance of the sensor data from a
threshold or having crossed a threshold.
13. The method of claim 12, and further comprising: only displaying
a subset of the sensor data streams possible data formats and
choosing the sensor data streams data formats to display based on
the distance of the sensor data from a threshold or having crossed
a threshold.
14. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: choosing which
format or formats to display each data stream in based on the
history or change in behavior of the data stream.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein checking for entry of the user
input includes receiving an instruction to override the determined
display format.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein checking for entry of the user
input includes receiving an instruction to lock out changes in
display format.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying values includes
displaying data in a plurality of formats based on one sensor.
18. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: in response to
determining that an alarm has been generated, displaying selected
data using a display format in which the selected data is displayed
with reduced prominence than other data of the display format.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein determining that an alarm has
been generated includes detecting a disconnection or detecting a
malfunction.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein determining that an alarm has
been generated includes detecting a threshold crossing.
21. The method of claim 1, and further comprising: in response to
detecting a change in a configuration of sensors, using a display
format including data from a new sensor.
22. A system comprising: a plurality of sensors, each sensor
coupled to a particular pod of a plurality of pods, each pod
configured to store a measurement type code, access calibration
parameter information and receive sensor output data for the
sensor, the pod configured to execute an algorithm to determine a
processed measurement based on the type code, the calibration
parameter information, and the sensor output data; and a display
unit coupled to the plurality of pods, the display unit operable
to: receive the processed measurement for each of the plurality of
sensors, determine a display format for a display based on the
processed measurement for the plurality of sensors, check for entry
of a user input corresponding to the display format, and display
values based on at least one processed measurement in accordance
with the display format or, upon detecting the user input,
displaying values based on at least one processed measurement in
accordance with an alternative format.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the measurement type code is
determined according to sensor type data provided by the
sensor.
24. The system of claim 22, and further comprising one or more
sensor pods communicably coupling at least a subset of the
plurality of sensors to the display unit.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the measurement type code is
determined according to sensor type data provided by the sensor
pod.
26. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon
instructions that when executed cause one or more processors to
perform operations comprising: at each of a plurality of pods,
receiving data indicating a measurement type code associated with a
sensor coupled to a particular pod, accessing calibration parameter
information, and receiving sensor output data for the sensor, and
determining a processed measurement based on the type code, the
calibration parameter information, and the sensor output data;
determining a display format for a display based on the processed
measurement for the plurality of sensors; checking for entry of a
user input corresponding to the display format; and displaying
values based on at least one processed measurement in accordance
with the display format or, upon detecting the user input,
displaying values based on at least one processed measurement in
accordance with an alternative format.
Description
FIELD
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to
measurement system and more particularly, to measurement systems
having a display that is modified based on measurement types
received by the system.
BACKGROUND
Many device exist that display data received from sensors. For
example, hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities
commonly use data received from sensors placed on or near a patient
to monitor and/or diagnose a patient's condition. Some devices are
capable receiving data from multiple sensors, and may also receive
data from different types of sensors. Such devices typically
require manual configuration or user input to determine the format
of data displayed on the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a system incorporating embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 2 provides further details of a sensor and sensor pod
according to embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating methods according to embodiments
of the invention.
FIGS. 4-7 are example screen illustrations for displays that may be
generated according to system and method embodiments of the
invention.
FIGS. 8-9 are flowcharts illustrating methods according to
embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Example Operating Environment
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a measurement system
according to embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments,
measurement system 100 includes a display unit 102, a plurality of
sensor pods 104.1-104.3, and sensors 106.1-106.3 coupled to sensor
pods 104.1-104.3 respectively. Sensors 106 provide signals or data
regarding a measurement. In some embodiments, measurement system
100 is a oximeter that measures oxygenation of hemoglobin. Various
types of sensors and measuring systems are possible and within the
scope of the inventive subject matter. For example, oximetry
sensors may include regional oximetry sensors, pulse oximetry
sensors, pediatric sensors and adult sensors. Additional types of
sensors may include pulse sensors, heart monitoring sensors, brain
monitoring sensors. The inventive subject matter is not necessarily
limited to any particular type of sensor.
In some embodiments of the invention, system 100 includes a sensor
pod 104. The sensor pod 104 receives data from sensors 106, and may
process the data to produce resultant data that is sent to display
102. For example, in some embodiments, sensor pod 104 receives data
representative of the amount of light passing through regions of a
person's anatomy, and transforms the data into oxygen saturation
values.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, sensors may be
directly coupled to display unit 102.
Display unit 102 receives data (either from sensor pods 104 or from
sensors 106) and displays the data on a display coupled to the
display unit. Display unit 102 may include one or more processors
and memory to execute in whole or in part the methods described
below. The data may be subject to varying degrees of processing
prior to display on the display unit.
FIG. 2 provides further details on sensors and sensor pods
according to embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, a
sensor 106 includes sensor type data 206 that indicates the type of
sensor. For example, a type code may be used to indicate the type
of sensor. Further, multiple type codes may be used to indicate
aspects of the type of sensor. For example, certain type codes may
be used to indicate adult vs. pediatric sensors while other type
codes may be present to indicate whether the sensor is a regional
or pulse oximetry sensor.
The sensor 106 or sensor pod 104 may store sensor type data 206,
and may also include calibration parameters 204 (or coefficients)
that are used by processing logic 202 in conjunction with the
sensor type data to produce values to be sent to display unit 102.
For example, a cerebral oximetry sensor for an adult may require
the use of different calibration coefficients from a pulse oximetry
sensor for a child. The sensor type data may be used by sensor pod
104 (or other component coupled to sensor 106) to apply the proper
calibration coefficients to the sensor data.
Pod 104 in some embodiments includes processing logic 202
comprising one or more processors and memory. Processing logic 202
may include programming (stored on a memory) for executing an
algorithm to evaluate or process data received from sensor 106.
Processing logic 202 may also execute in whole or in part the
methods described below. Other modules also contemplated for pod
104 include a communications module for communicating data to
display unit 102, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a
digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a filter, an amplifier, and a
power supply among others, some of which can be in the form of a
discrete component or be implemented by means of processing logic
202. A power supply can include a battery.
In one embodiment, any of the components of the measurement system
100 can include hardware, firmware, and/or software for performing
the operations described herein. Machine-readable media includes
any mechanism that provides (e.g., stores and/or transmits)
information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer,
server, processing node etc.). For example, non-transitory
machine-readable media includes read only memory (ROM), random
access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage
media, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readable media also
includes any media suitable for transmitting software over a
network.
In various embodiments, the system may choose which format to
display each data stream in based on the history of the data
stream, for example if the blood oxygen saturation as measured by
an oximetry sensor is consistent to within a set threshold, then
display a photoplethysmograph, but if the consistency falls below a
threshold, then display a trend line of change in saturation over
time.
Example Operations
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for using measurement
or sensor type data to modify a display. The method begins at block
304 by receiving data input for one or more of a plurality of
sensors 106 for a system. Typically the data input may be
measurement data provided by the sensor. In addition, the data
input may include data identifying the type of sensor, or the type
of measurement provided by the sensor.
At block 306 a check is made to determine if the types of data
provided by one or more of the sensors is the same as that provided
by other sensors. If so, the method proceeds to block 308 to
display the data for all sensors of the same type concurrently. In
some embodiments, the concurrent display of data includes
overlaying data received from sensors providing the same type of
measurement onto a graph. In alternative embodiments, the
concurrent display of data includes displaying data from sensors of
the same type adjacent to one another.
If the check at block 306 indicates that a sensor is of a different
type or provides different data, then at block 310 a system
executing the method displays the data separately from other types
of sensors. For example, the data may be placed in a different
portion (side, corner etc.) of a display.
As can be seen from the above, the system executing the method may
group the display of sensor data from sensors providing the same
type of data together, while sensors providing different types of
data may have their values displayed separately from other groups.
As an example, a system may display oximetry data for various
regions on one side of the screen and pulse data on the other side
of the screen.
Other types of display modifications based on sensor type or data
type are possible and within the scope of the inventive subject
matter. For example, a system may determine whether to display the
data as trend lines, as absolute values, as graphs, as
plethismographs or as combinations of the above.
At block 312, a check is made to determine if a user has indicated
that the display format determined by the system should be
overridden. For example, a user may provide input such as a button
press, menu selection, or activation of some user interface element
to indicate that the display format determined automatically by the
system should be overridden. If the default display format is to be
overridden, the method proceeds to block 316 to display the data in
an alternative format specified by the user. Otherwise, at block
314 the display format remains the same as determined by the
system.
At block 318, a check is made to determine if any of the sensor
data streams is in an alarm condition. An alarm condition may be
triggered by data values crossing a threshold or alarm limit or
equipment alarm such as a sensor disconnected or an equipment or
sensor malfunction. An equipment alarm may be generated by display
unit 102 or any device coupled to display unit 102 or sensor pod
104. The threshold or alarm limit may be determined by data stored
on the display unit 102, sensor pod 104 or sensor 106. The alarm
condition may be detected by the display unit 102, sensor pod 104,
or a sensor 106. If a sensor data stream is not in an alarm
condition, then at block 320 the display of the data continues in
the previously determined format (either user-selected or system
determined).
Otherwise, if the data stream from a sensor is in an alarm
condition or otherwise crosses a predetermined threshold, then at
block 322, the system modifies the display of data for the data
stream. Various modifications are possible and within the scope of
the inventive subject matter. Varying embodiments may cause the
data to be displayed more prominently, e.g., in a larger font or
larger portion of the display. Additionally, the display may
highlight the data (bold, flashing, color change etc.) to indicate
the alarm condition. Alternatively, if the alarm condition is the
result of a disconnection or malfunction, the data may be displayed
less prominently on the assumption that the data is not valid or
not reliable.
In addition to modifying the format of the data display, the actual
data displayed may be changed in response to detecting an alarm
condition or detecting that a data value has crossed a threshold
value. For example, a trend line for one measurement may be
displayed, but upon detecting a threshold crossing alarm, the
display may change to a trend line from another measurement.
The display format may be changed in realtime based on changes in
the configuration of sensors attached to the system. For example,
if a new sensor is added, or a sensor is replaced with a sensor of
a different type, the display format may dynamically change based
on the newly added sensor type.
In some embodiments, the display changes may be either temporary or
periodically changed based on the alarm condition or data received.
For example, the data display associated with an alarm condition
may be made more prominent for a period of time, and then revert
back to its previous size or style or change to yet a different
display modification.
FIGS. 4-7 illustrate various example display screens produced
according to various embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example screen 402 in which two data streams
404 and 406 from two sensors having the same measurement type are
concurrently display, one adjacent the other.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example screen 502 in which three data
streams 504, 506 and 508 from sensors having the same measurement
type are displayed concurrently. In this example, the concurrent
display is provided on the same graph.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example screen 602 in which two data streams
604 and 606 have the same type and are displayed together on one
side of the screen while a third data stream 608 (a pulse value) is
of a different type from data streams 604 and 606 and is thus
displayed on a different side of the screen.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example screen 702 in which two data streams
704 and 706 having the same type are concurrently displayed, one
adjacent the other. In the example, data stream 704 has entered an
alarm condition or otherwise has had data cross a threshold value,
and is thus displayed in a larger format than data stream 706.
Second Example Operations
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating method according to alternative
embodiments of the invention for using measurement to modify a
display. The method begins at block 804 by receiving data input for
one or more of a plurality of sensors 106 for a system. Typically
the data input may be measurement data provided by the sensor. In
addition, the data input may include data identifying the type of
sensor, or the type of measurement provided by the sensor.
At block 806 a check is made to determine which of the data streams
is closer to one or more threshold values for that data type. These
data types may be identical or different. The display then displays
only the data stream that is closer to its threshold value.
In one example, the system has two data streams input and is
displaying only one, in another example there may be 3, 4, 5, or
more data stream input to the device and the device will display
some subset of these data streams.
In various embodiments, the system may display each data stream in
several formats, for example a value, a trend line, and/or a
photoplethysmograph, and may display a subset of the formats for
all data streams, for example the value, but only display another
subset, for example the trend line, of the data stream closest to
the threshold.
At block 812, a check is made to determine if a user has indicated
that the display format determined by the system should be
overridden. For example, a user may provide input such as a button
press, menu selection, or activation of some user interface element
to indicate that the display format determined automatically by the
system should be overridden. If the default display format is to be
overridden, the method proceeds to block 816 to display the data in
an alternative format specified by the user. Otherwise, at block
814 the display format remains the same as determined by the
system.
At block 818, a check is made to determine if any data stream, or
data streams as in the alternate example above, closest the
threshold has changed or indeed if one data stream has gone into an
alarm condition. An alarm condition may be triggered by data values
crossing a threshold or alarm limit. The threshold or alarm limit
may be determined by data stored on the display unit 106, sensor
pod 104 or sensor 106. The alarm condition may be detected by the
display unit 102, sensor pod 104, or a sensor 106. If a data stream
closest to its one or more threshold values has not changed, then
at block 820 the display of the data continues in the previously
determined format (either user-selected or system determined).
Otherwise, if the data stream closest to its one or more threshold
values has changed or a data stream is in an alarm condition or
otherwise crosses a predetermined threshold, then at block 822, the
system modifies the display of data to display to give priority to
that data stream as described for block 806.
Third Example Operations
FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for using measurement
to modify a display according to further alternative embodiments.
The method begins at block 904 by receiving data input for one or
more of a plurality of sensors 106 for a system. Typically the data
input may be measurement data provided by the sensor. In addition,
the data input may include data identifying the type of sensor, or
the type of measurement provided by the sensor.
At block 906 a check is made to determine the default display type
for this data, for example a value, a trend line, and/or a
photoplethysmograph, or some combination thereof.
In one example the system may have one data stream input, in
another example there may be 2, 3, 4, or more data stream inputs to
the device and the device may choose the display format of those
data streams using the same procedure.
At block 912, a check is made to determine if a user has indicated
that the display format determined by the system should be
overridden. For example, a user may provide input such as a button
press, menu selection, or activation of some user interface element
to indicate that the display format determined automatically by the
system should be overridden. If the default display format is to be
overridden, the method proceeds to block 916 to display the data in
an alternative format specified by the user. Otherwise, at block
914 the display format remains the same as determined by the
system.
At block 918, a check is made to determine if the change of the
data stream over time has met a certain threshold or an equipment
alarm has been generated. Examples of this threshold include,
absolute change, change per unit time, change duration, data
spikes, etc. This list is not meant to be comprehensive and the
display may be set to recognize other types of behaviors than those
listed above. If this change criteria is met, then at block 920 the
display makes an appropriate change to the display format, in one
example this change in the display could be designed to highlight,
and make easier to determine clinical relevance of, this change to
the device user. For example if the blood oxygen saturation as
measured by an oximetry sensor is consistent to within a set
threshold, then display a photoplethysmograph, but if the
consistency falls below a threshold, then display a trend line of
change in saturation over time
Otherwise, if the data stream behavior has not crossed a
predetermined threshold, then at block 922, the system makes no
change to the display of data and continues to display the data as
chosen in block 906.
In the discussions above, reference has been made to changes in
display based on sensor type or measurement. In various embodiments
of the invention, it may be possible for the user to lock out these
display changes. For example, a user may provide input such as a
button press, menu selection, or activation of some user interface
element to indicate that the display format should not change
automatically.
In the discussions above, reference has been made to oximetry
measurements. It should be noted that the systems and methods
described above hare applicable to other measurement systems and
other systems receiving and displaying data streams are within the
scope of the inventive subject matter.
General
In this detailed description, reference is made to specific
examples by way of drawings and illustrations. These examples are
described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the inventive subject matter, and serve to illustrate
how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes
or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive
subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other
changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein.
Features or limitations of various embodiments described herein,
however essential to the example embodiments in which they are
incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole,
and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and
application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define
these example embodiments. This detailed description does not,
therefore, limit embodiments of the invention, which are defined
only by the appended claims.
Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as
falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in
the following claims.
* * * * *